Prince to head design lobby

The Prince of Wales has been appointed head of an international network of traditional architects and urban designers launched in London this week.

The International Network for Traditional Building Arts and Urbanism, which has members from 12 countries, has appointed Prince Charles patron.

In a statement, the Prince said: "I am convinced from all of my travels that there is a universal human need for places that express a fundamental sense of humanity and harmony."

The network's members are "dedicated to the creation of humane and harmonious buildings and places that respect local traditions".

The launch conference claimed that architecture rooted in local traditions could "present a radical response to globalisation".

Campaigns promoted by the body include schemes to rebuild the World Trade Centre in New York as a collection of mid-rise towers and another to build classical seven-storey buildings in the centre of Dresden.